Bruins shut out Rangers, gain in East Division race

BOSTON --Jeremy Swayman got his second shutout in nine NHL games, and the Boston Bruins gained ground in the MassMutual East Division by defeating the New York Rangers 4-0 at TD Garden on Thursday.

Brad Marchand and David Krejci each had two assists, and Swayman made 15 saves for Boston (32-14-7), which is 5-0-1 in its past six games and has won seven straight at home. The Bruins moved within two points of the Washington Capitals for second place in the eight-team division and three points ahead of the fourth-place New York Islanders, who lost 2-1 to the New Jersey Devils.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, Capitals, Bruins and Islanders have clinched the four Stanley Cup Playoff berths from the East.
"I think we're trying to build our game towards the playoffs," Boston captain Patrice Bergeron said. "You know [the Rangers are] a good team that skates well, that has a lot of talent. But tonight it was about us making sure we're playing the way that we want to play and everyone contributing."

Igor Shesterkin made 30 saves for New York (26-23-6), which has lost its past five games and been eliminated from playoff contention.
"We didn't lay down," Rangers coach David Quinn said. "I know the shots were what they were and it looked ugly at times, but these guys competed their [rear ends] off. There's a lot of good here right now, and it's just unfortunate that we're in this position right now. It just doesn't feel good, but it's the situation we're in, and these guys didn't lay down tonight."
The Rangers lost 4-2 to the Capitals on Wednesday, after president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton were fired and replaced by Chris Drury, who took over both jobs.
"It's definitely tough," New York defenseman Zac Jones said. "I mean, everything that's been going on in the organization the last couple days, but we tried to put that in the back of our minds and not really think about it at all and just go out there and do the best to play our game and try to win every night."
The teams play here again Saturday.
Bergeron gave Boston a 1-0 lead with a one-timer at 7:11 of the first period, and Charlie McAvoy's power-play goal from the top of the slot made it 2-0 at 18:35.

Jake DeBrusk scored on a breakaway for his first goal in 13 games, making it 3-0 at 14:01 of the second period.
"It's not just about scoring goals, it's about doing the little things right," Bergeron said. "And guys are doing that, and I think [DeBrusk is] one of them. And when you do that and you stay in position, you do the right things out there … most often than not, the puck's going to find you at some point and you get rewarded. So good for him to get that goal."
The Bruins outshot the Rangers 19-3 in the second period.
"You've got to take care of business and play to your strengths," Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said. "So obviously tonight we're a good defensive team. Want to make it hard on teams, get that message out there, which I'm sure it already is. But reinforce it, and I thought we did that."
Brandon Carlo scored off Shesterkin's skate from a sharp angle to make it 4-0 at 1:07 of the third period. Carlo, playing his second game after missing 18 with an upper-body injury, had 10 shot attempts, including five on goal.
"To see his confidence where it's at, he's a tremendous player and it means a lot to this group," McAvoy said of the defenseman. "So to have him back and see him playing well and being a big part of it is awesome."
NOTES: Rangers forward Pavel Buchnevich served a one-game suspension for high-sticking Capitals forward Anthony Mantha on Wednesday. Tim Gettinger replaced him and had two shots and four hits in 13:28 of ice time in his season debut. … Bergeron extended his point streak to five games (four goals, two assists).